On Saturday, Feb. 10, the University of Montevallo’s Minority Alumni Club gathered for a homecoming brunch to bestow the club’s award, the Dr. Lonnie J. Edwards Distinguished Minority Alumnus Award, to Hon. Rodger Smitherman, of Montgomery.

The award, established in 2017, seeks to recognize a minority alumnus whose contributions, through career or community service, reflect positively on society at the local, state or national level.

Minority Alumni Club President Jeff Adams presented Smitherman with the award and expressed how elated the organization was for him to accept the honor.

Smitherman graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1976 with a B.B.A. degree and with honors from Miles Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree. He is currently serving his fifth term in the U.S. Senate.

“Senator Rodger Smitherman is the epitome of everything the Distinguished Minority Alumni Award represents. He is a strong, intelligent leader who gives back to his community. I am so proud that the UM Minority Alumni Club could honor him for his service and dedication to UM,” said Stephanie Baugh Shaw, vice president of alumni clubs for the University of Montevallo National Alumni Association.

Senator Smitherman and his wife, the former Carole Catlin of Birmingham, are the parents of four children: Rodger, II, Tonya Renee, Mary Elaine and Crystal Nicole. He is a practicing attorney, a democrat, an Elder at More Than Conquerors Faith Church, and a tireless advocate for education, youth programs and senior citizens.